AFL Fantasy Power Rankings – Round 9

AFL Fantasy is a simple game really. Pick the players who are going to score the most for your team, given the salary cap that you have. This includes two components – a players score, and their price. The big question becomes, who is in the best form (scoring the most points), and can I afford them. Many decisions come down to selecting a player who is better ‘value for money’. Someone who is not quite scoring as much as other players, but is significantly cheaper.

Each week in the Power Rankings article, I will show you who is in the best form, and what their ‘value rating’ is. The Power Ranking list is devised from all the players’ scores throughout the season, with a higher emphasis on their most recent games. This means that players will be higher on the list if they have a higher score in the most recent rounds. A player could conceivably have a higher season average than another player, but be lower on the power rankings as they haven’t scored as well in the last few rounds.

The ‘Value Rating’ is quite simple. The higher the value, the better the value for money they represent. Anything over 20 represents good value. Anything over 21 is a bargain price for what the player is currently outputting.

Nic Newman has well and truly rewarded those coaches who strategically held him (or just couldn’t trade him out due to other issues). He is averaging 92 over his 6 games, which is amazing for a seasoned performer, let alone a rookie who has only played 6 AFL games in his life! He still represents great value when you look out output vs price, but at over $400k, he is too pricey to bring in now. Jasper Pittard will be one of the most traded in players over the next 2 weeks. As Port Adelaide have already had their bye, you can count on him to cover you for all 3 of the Multi-Bye Rounds (barring injury). He has been solid without being spectacular. Averaging 96 for the season, he only has 1 score over 100, but also has a lowest score of 73. He missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury, so is unlikely to be rested, and should now be hitting peak fitness.

Patrick Dangerfield showed us on Friday night why you never write off a Brownlow medallist. Blind Freddie could see that he was carrying some sort of injury, and it was only a matter of time before he was unleashed back into the Geelong midfield. If you don’t have him, now is the time to get him in. He has a break even of just 99 this week, which he should easily reach, and he has the Round 12 bye (which only has 4 teams not playing, rather than 6). The top 5 midfielders in the Power Rankings all qualified for ‘Gold Class’ status this week, and this was reflected in some very high weekly scores. Let’s just hope it continues.

In a welcome return to form, Todd Goldstein jumps straight in at the number 1 spot in the Ruck Power Rankings. His 148 is easily his best score for the season, and tops off a solid 4 week stretch which has a lowest score of 93. He comes up against Carlton this week, who he averages 102 against – including a 138 the last time they played.

Jack Billings once again leads the Forwards in the Power Rankings formula. Whilst not reaching his lofty heights of last round, he produced a solid 113 against Sydney in what ended up being a 50 point spanking. This gives him a 3 round average of 126, and with a break even of 54, he is only going to go up in price.

Unfortunately for him, his Fantasy owners, and those looking to bring him in for Bye cover, Chad Wingard injured himself at training this week, and reports are that he will be out 2 weeks. Perhaps another player who has already had is bye now jumps into calculations. Michael Barlow is the obvious one, averaging 96 over his last 3, but if you wanted to be really unique, you could look at Charlie Dixon. Averaging 112 over his last 3 games, but only 85 for the season, he is the very definition of a form player. Just be aware he could just as easily provide you with a score of 45.

Gold Class

For a player to qualify for a seat in the Gold Class, they must be ranked ‘elite’ using the Power Rankings formula. This category is reserved for the best of the best. If a player is listed in Gold Class, you need to prioritise getting them into your team.

Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne, Ruck, $543,000)

As mentioned above, Goldy burst back to form last weekend with an impressive 148. This was enough to elevate him to Gold Class for the first time this season. Let’s just hope that Goldy in Gold Class is not just a once off entry.

Mitch Duncan (Geelong, Mid, $658,000)

After the efforts of team mate Patrick Dangerfield on Friday night, it would be easy to miss the contribution that Duncan has made. What is good for Duncan owners, is that he continued to score well even with Danger back in engine room. He quietly pulled off the second highest fantasy score of the weekend, with an impressive 169 points. If you are looking for a POD, Duncan is your man, as despite his season average of 120, he is only owned by 2% of the competition.

Zach Merrett (Essendon, Midfielder, $709,000)

In what turned out to be an absolute smashing of the Eagles, Zach Merrett showed once again why he is one of the most desired players for an AFL Fantasy coach. He scored 126 points, leaving him still with just 2 games all season below 120. I am fairly certain I will be struggling to come up with new things to write about Merrett in a few weeks, as he is certain to be a Gold Class player all season.

Tom Rockliff (Brisbane, Midfielder, $723,000)

Rocky remains on the list, even though he is injured. He talked up his chances of playing this week, but I would be surprised if it happens. There is no benefit. He won’t be fully over his injury. Brisbane are no hope of making finals, and they have the bye the week after. Best they give him a full 3 weeks off and have him raring to go for Round 12.

Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn, Midfielder, $723,000)

Tom Mitchell was officially anointed ‘pig status’ by the Traders this week. A status reserved for those AFL Fantasy player who just love racking up, no matter what the situation. Only the original pig Dane Swan, and Fantasy freak Tom Rockliff have previously been given pig status. It is just reward for a bloke who everyone (except John Longmire) loved from day 1. His 177 on the weekend was the final touch on gaining pig status, and whilst he won’t score that every week, there will be plenty more 150+ scores in his future.

Dan Hannebery (Sydney, Midfielder, $591,000)

After an abysmal start to the season, Hanners is finally hitting his straps. After averaging 83 over the first 5 rounds, he is now averaging 123 over the last four. It was is 159 in a win over the Saints that catapulted him not only into the top 5 of the Power Rankings, but into ‘Gold Class’ status also. It’s no coincidence that Hannebery’s return to form coincides with a Sydney Swans winning streak.

Sam Docherty (Carlton, Defender, $658,000)

Taylor Adams (Collingwood, Defender/Midfielder, $656,000)

I’m going to start calling this duo Doc McAdams. If you have kids below the age of 5, you will know what I mean, if not, hear is a clip of an annoyingly catchy opening theme to the children’s TV show.

There. Now it’s stuck in your head too.

Having these two guys in your team will fix your backline ailments. It’s hard to see them not being the top 2 defensive scorers for the year. There is not one sub 85 score between for the WHOLE YEAR, and they have also played every single game, which for Adams in particular is a wonderful thing to see.

Who are you bringing in this week? Want to know what their value ranking is? Let me know on twitter @OTLSArchie and I will be more than happy to supply you with the information.

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